On November 10, the Vietnamese entertainment industry was rocked by news that singer Chi Dan and model Andrea Aybar were detained by the Ho Chi Minh City Police’s Narcotics Investigation Division for drug-related allegations.

In June, singer Chu Bin was also detained by District 10 Police in Ho Chi Minh City on charges of organizing and illegally using narcotics. Around the same time, model Nhikolai Dinh was apprehended as District 1 Police dismantled a drug operation in the Ma Lang area of Ho Chi Minh City. Earlier, in March, actress Le Hang was arrested by the Hanoi Dong Da District Narcotics Investigation Team on charges of drug trafficking.

In June 2022, actor Huu Tin was caught using drugs in an apartment in Ho Chi Minh City and subsequently sentenced to 7 years and 6 months in prison. Another high-profile case involved singer Chau Viet Cuong, who was arrested in March 2018 after causing the death of a 20-year-old woman while under the influence of drugs. His conviction, sentencing him to 11 years in prison, created a lasting public outcry.

Back in 2008, actor Minh Quoc was sentenced to two years in prison for drug possession, and in 2007, comedian Hiep "Ga" was also sentenced to two years for drug possession. Other Vietnamese celebrities, such as actors Thuong Tin, Hong Son, and Nguyen Huynh, and singer Trinh Tuan Vy, have similarly struggled with drug-related issues.

Personal struggles and creativity as excuses for drug use

Celebrities often cite various personal reasons for turning to drugs. Singer Chi Dan, for instance, admitted to making mistakes due to the emotional toll of his mother’s passing and a broken relationship. Similarly, actor Thuong Tin said he used drugs to cope with the loss of his first wife, leading him to addiction for more than a decade.

Singer Trinh Tuan Vy, the son of artist Nguyen Sanh, admitted to experimenting with ecstasy and methamphetamine due to peer influence and youthful recklessness. The late actor Hong Son confessed that his drug use stemmed from a life of luxury and successful business ventures. His profitable bar business desensitized him to normal pursuits, driving him to seek new highs that eventually led to his addiction.

Actress Le Hang’s case was different; she was not a drug user but engaged in drug sales for profit.

For many artists, drug use is a way to seek inspiration, creative highs, or simply relief from the pressures of their demanding schedules and public scrutiny.

Many also cite the pressures of grueling work schedules, stress, the need for relaxation before performing, or even a desire to "fit in" and avoid being seen as naive.

In an interview with VietNamNet, singer T shared that the entertainment industry’s sensitive environment and complex audience dynamics make artists vulnerable to invitations or pressures to try drugs, sometimes even by coercion. Yet, regardless of the reasons given, involvement in drugs remains illegal and morally indefensible.

Irreversible consequences

The consequences of drug involvement in the entertainment industry extend beyond legality; they breach both the ethical and societal expectations placed on public figures.

Legally, drug-related offenses fall under Chapter XVIII of Vietnam’s 2015 Penal Code, outlining narcotics-related criminal acts.

Ethically, celebrities have a responsibility to the community. Their public image is their livelihood, and drug involvement not only damages their careers but also erodes public trust in the entertainment industry. For most, the aftermath is devastating, with irreversible damage to both their lives and careers.

Actor Hong Son once owned four valuable homes in Hanoi’s Old Quarter and a popular bar on Nguyen Dinh Chieu Street. However, addiction led him to financial ruin and tore his family apart.

Actor Thuong Tin’s ten-year addiction ultimately ended his once-thriving career.

One of the most tragic cases is that of singer Chau Viet Cuong, who, under the influence of drugs, committed murder. He was sentenced to prison, leaving behind an elderly mother and young child.

In the case of comedian Hiep "Ga," his violation was considered less severe, and he showed remorse, seeking to reform. Actor Minh Quoc also managed a return to acting in 2019 after years of selling lottery tickets and performing manual labor.

However, for many, these incidents marked a permanent end to their artistic dreams. Fans still express sadness for stars like actor Nguyen Huynh, once a celebrated heartthrob alongside peers like Ly Hung, Le Cong Tuan Anh, and Le Tuan Anh, who fell from grace due to addiction. His two lengthy stints in rehabilitation exhausted his youth and talent. In May 2009, as the tragic arc of his life seemed incomplete, he died suddenly from a stroke, leaving fans and colleagues heartbroken.

Hai Ly